This scare you at all? Scientists hack into the biology of squid

Squid have a form of camouflage the military can only dream of — the speed and diversity at which squid can change the color and pattern of their skin is unequaled in the animal kingdom.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency, or DARPA, has noticed. And now, thanks to its funding, scientists have figured out how to hack into the squid’s complex nervous system and control this process.

Really.

In a new study in Biological Sciences (see abstract) researchers, including Robyn Crook at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, identified the nerves that control the coloration of the squid’s skin, and demonstrated their ability to change its color on command.

Neurally activated iridescence in squid. (Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences)

In other words, they hacked into the biology of the skin.

Left yet to discover is how squid choose particular skin colors to camouflage — a mystery considering that the animals are colorblind.

DARPA is interested in a lot of areas of biological research, with the express goal of protecting our military forces from biological warfare attacks and naturally emerging infectious diseases.